A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 356

356. A Midnight Intruder

Son Bin looked at the Immovable Wisdom King with a surprised expression. The translation was slightly different, but what the Immovable Wisdom King had said a moment ago was definitely ‘Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations.’

“I am not one of the Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations.”

Son Bin spoke politely, but clearly.

“But where did you hear the term ‘Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations’?”

The Immovable Wisdom King silently stared at Son Bin. After a moment, he spoke in a heavy voice.

“One of the previous Wisdom Kings once challenged the Central Plains martial world [Jianghu] alone.”

That wasn’t surprising. It was rare, but not unheard of, for a master of Tibetan Tantrism to enter the Jianghu martial world.

“But surprisingly, the previous Wisdom King was defeated miserably by someone whose name was not even known. He said these words to the previous Wisdom King.”

The Immovable Wisdom King looked at Son Bin with his characteristic deep eyes and said,

“‘If I cannot even defeat you, how dare I look upon the Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations?’”

He never imagined he would hear a mention of the ‘Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations’ here. And from the mouth of the Immovable Wisdom King, no less.

Son Bin couldn’t help but look at Old Master. Old Master shrugged.

“Why are you looking at me? Any outlaw would have said that. And I didn’t win. I just didn’t lose.”

Old Master’s words made sense. Then, the Immovable Wisdom King’s voice continued.

“The one who defeated the previous Wisdom King mentioned the names of two of the Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations. The elegant and ethereal Yellow Crane, and the one who reigns above all, the Martial Emperor of Black Heaven.”

He specifically mentioned the Yellow Crane and the Martial Emperor among the Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations. That meant there was no mention of Jade Dragon or Fierce Tiger at all.

Son Bin looked at Old Master again, but Old Master brought the teacup to his lips and subtly averted his gaze.

“So, I thought you were the successor of the Yellow Crane. Your sword was more elegant and beautiful than anything else.”

The Immovable Wisdom King’s gaze was intensely shining as he spoke.

“I am not one of the Heavenly Outlaw Four Constellations. Nor am I the successor of that person. But…”

Son Bin looked down at his sword, White Dew.

“This sword is the one I received from the Yellow Crane True Master.”

Son Bin’s gaze as he looked at White Dew was warm and gentle. Then, Old Master suddenly said to the Immovable Wisdom King,

“And that one sword that you retreated from yourself was that of the Martial Emperor.”

That one sword that even the Immovable Wisdom King couldn’t help but sense defeat from, was none other than Saja Hyuk’s Jade Dragon’s Reverse Scale Strike.

“This kid is the one walking the path of that Martial Emperor.”

The Immovable Wisdom King nodded as if he finally understood, at Old Master’s somewhat proud voice.

“Where is Sword Hee?”

The one who asked this time was the Northern Wisdom King. He was the Wisdom King who had faced Sword Hee’s technique, Frosty Dawn Severance, with his Vajra Spear and was defeated.

The Northern Wisdom King, who had revealed half of his upper body, was staring intently at Son Bin with his burly eyes. If it weren’t for his serious gaze, one might mistake his rugged face for one that was about to burst out in anger.

“Sword Hee is probably nearby.”

Son Bin answered gently after hearing the translation from Governor Hwang. The Northern Wisdom King twitched his thick eyebrows.

“Is that so? I wanted to ask about that technique, but it’s a shame.”

The Northern Wisdom King accepted Son Bin’s answer surprisingly easily. The gaunt middle-aged Eastern Wisdom King also couldn’t hide his disappointed expression. He probably wanted to ask about the Frosty Dawn Second Severance that had broken his Heavenly Net Vajra Wall.

“To take someone like that as a subordinate, you’re amazing.”

The young Southern Wisdom King said in admiration. He was the Wisdom King who was unable to fight Sword Hee because the Passionate Love Wisdom King stepped in. Even that Passionate Love Wisdom King had to step back because of the Immovable Wisdom King.

It was now awkward for Son Bin to say, ‘Sword Hee is not my subordinate,’ so he glossed over it with an awkward smile, when suddenly, the young Palace Master’s voice was heard.

“Come to think of it, you were going to play the Seven String Zither for me, weren’t you?”

The young Palace Master said, her eyes shining towards Son Bin.

“How about it? Incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician]. Won’t you play the Seven String Zither for me now?”

Son Bin smiled and bowed his head to the young Palace Master.

“I would be happy to do so.”

A bright smile spread across the young Palace Master’s face, and she said something to the maids. Soon, a Seven String Zither wrapped in silk cloth was placed in front of Son Bin.

The Seven String Zither was quite well preserved. But the condition of the strings was not very good.

“The original strings were old, so I replaced them. I used the closest thing I could find, but I don’t know if it will be okay.”

At the young Palace Master’s words, Son Bin nodded and touched here and there, then chose a string.

Ttarang.

The sound was quite good. The timbre was a little different, but the resonance was quite deep, making it seem like a pretty good Seven String Zither.

“This is good enough. No, it’s very good.”

The young Palace Master’s eyes sparkled at Son Bin’s words. After choosing a few more strings, Son Bin quietly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Dealing with a sword and a zither is very similar.

Of course, a sword and a zither are completely different. But in that you have to think only about that, there is no difference.

Throwing your everything into only a single sword and seven strings. Nothing else is allowed. Even all sorts of thoughts and emotions are just distractions right now.

Sarak.

Son Bin opened his eyes. And lightly plucked a string.

Ttarang.

That small sound instantly resonated in everyone’s hearts. And the melody of the Seven String Zither that followed wrapped around everyone in the room warmly, like the voice of someone singing.

They forgot to eat, forgot to drink. They stopped talking, stopped sharing laughter.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Son Bin, and on his Seven String Zither, as if nailed there.

Ttarararang.

With a slightly flashy technique at the end, the not-so-long melody of the Seven String Zither came to an end.

“Haaa.”

With someone’s deep sigh, people blinked as if they had awakened from a dream.

Some people’s eyes were filled with tears, and some people’s lips held a soft smile. Or some were still immersed in the lingering feeling without even opening their eyes.

What was a little unexpected was that the closed eyes of the burly Northern Wisdom King were slightly wet.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin bowed and put away the Seven String Zither. Only then did exclamations burst out from here and there.

“Truly a beautiful melody.”

The young Palace Master said, her eyes sparkling.

“It was like listening to a song from heaven. Truly an incarnation of Gandharva.”

Princess Potala, who was sitting next to her, also bowed her head to Son Bin with a smiling face. Her eyes were still glistening with tears.

Son Bin bowed his head to the young Palace Master and Princess Potala to express his gratitude.

“It’s just not enough. Actually, this song is…”

The original creator is someone else. It’s Kang Rin, Son Bin’s young Seven String Zither teacher, who is still devoted to the Seven String Zither in Hangzhou Yuyuan.

“Haa, that was really amazing.”

A languid, sticky woman’s voice was heard. When Son Bin turned his head, a woman dressed like a dancer from Tianzhu [ancient name for India] winked while holding a glass.

“You said your name was Son Bin, right?”

‘That woman is…’

Son Bin didn’t even need to search his memory. Because she was a very unique person even among the Five Wisdom Kings.

First of all, her attire was very unusual. She not only revealed her slender waist and small navel, but also emphasized the curves of her prominent chest and slender shoulders with her thin top.

‘Her name was probably… Passionate Love Wisdom King, wasn’t it?’

Son Bin lightly bowed his head to her. Then, the Passionate Love Wisdom King smiled as if satisfied.

“I watched the martial arts competition well. It was amazing, wasn’t it? It’s a little disappointing that my expectations that you might become one of the Six Wisdom Kings were shattered…”

She said with a captivating smile, her brown skin and long eyelashes.

“I like this kind of thing too.”

Somehow, her voice felt sticky, as if she was seducing him. But whether Son Bin was the only one who thought so, the other Wisdom Kings didn’t even react.

Son Bin averted his gaze with an awkward smile. Thanks to that, he didn’t notice Sasu Yeon and Dang Wola glaring at the Passionate Love Wisdom King with sharp eyes.

“I think she’s a little drunk.”

Governor Hwang, who was translating, said slyly.

‘Drunk?’

Son Bin turned to look at the Passionate Love Wisdom King with surprised eyes. The Passionate Love Wisdom King, who was having a staring contest with someone, smiled again when she met Son Bin’s gaze.

But Son Bin noticed that her brown cheeks were flushed. And that there were already several small bottles lying in front of her.

“They don’t strictly prohibit meat or alcohol here. It’s like they don’t care as long as you don’t cause an accident…”

Governor Hwang explained quietly, noticing Son Bin’s surprised expression.

In the Central Plains, Buddhism generally strictly prohibits eating meat and drinking alcohol. Even there were times when it was prohibited by imperial decree, so Son Bin’s reaction was natural.

“If you can attain enlightenment by not eating meat or drinking alcohol, that’s a lie.”

Old Master said as if throwing it out.

“Whether it’s emptiness or form, it all depends on the mind. So please, put a lot of spices in the food.”

Old Master’s complaint eventually came down to food. That appearance was somehow like the children of Seowon [Korean Confucian academy] complaining, so Son Bin unknowingly smiled.

* * *

After the Potala Palace banquet, Son Bin returned to his lodgings. Sitting alone in his lodgings, Son Bin savored the lingering feelings of the enjoyable banquet and slowly calmed his mind.

‘Now the problem is the magical creatures… and the Demonic Sect.’

Being recognized as the incarnation of the Eight Divisions of the Dragon God is just the beginning. From now on, he has to eliminate the threat of the magical creatures and deal with the Demonic Sect that may be behind them.

‘First of all, gather all possible news and intelligence…’

What he needs right now is to find out information related to the appearance of magical creatures and the Demonic Sect. As much as possible.

‘And if an appropriate response system is established.’

He doesn’t think he will completely eliminate all magical creatures and their threats.

At least if a system is established where these people can face the danger of magical creatures on their own, then he can leave to the west with Saja Hyuk.

Son Bin sat in front of a small desk and pondered. It was at that moment.

‘Huh?’

Sensing someone’s presence, Son Bin turned his head. Someone was approaching in front of the room.

Son Bin got up and approached the door, feeling no particular wariness or hostility from that presence.

‘Did Seo Rin come looking for me because she’s bored?’

Thinking so without realizing it, Son Bin opened the door. And at that moment, he faced a woman with brown skin and captivating eyes.

“Hello?”

The woman, who was already wearing revealing clothes, naturally brought her body close to Son Bin with a somewhat disheveled gesture.

Before Son Bin, who was flustered, could react, she reached out her slender finger and gently stroked Son Bin’s cheek.

“Were you waiting?”

She, the Passionate Love Wisdom King, said, exhaling a sweet breath.

‘Huh?’

Son Bin’s eyes widened. First of all, he never thought that the Passionate Love Wisdom King would come to visit him at this hour.

Moreover, the Passionate Love Wisdom King in front of him was clearly drunk. The Passionate Love Wisdom King smiles softly at Son Bin with her cheeks flushed red.

“You knew I was coming, didn’t you?”

Son Bin was embarrassed by her words. The reason was that he couldn’t understand what she was saying.

‘What is she saying right now?’

The other person is one of the Five Wisdom Kings. He knows that it’s not a normal thing for her to come at this hour, but he’s embarrassed about how to react because she’s so drunk.

“Or, were you waiting for Princess Potala?”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King said with a subtle smile. But Son Bin still couldn’t understand.

‘Is it a story about Potala Palace?’

Maybe this is her way of talking. After all, she’s a woman whose attire is unconventional.

“Uh, well, I’ll get Governor Hwang first…”

Sarak.

Regardless of Son Bin’s words, who thought he needed an interpreter, the Passionate Love Wisdom King came very close to Son Bin.

“Ah, you don’t know our language.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King looked up at Son Bin and smiled.

“But it’s okay. Sometimes, conversations shared with the body are more honest.”

Sarak.

At that moment, the Passionate Love Wisdom King leaned on Son Bin as if she couldn’t control her body.

‘Oh!’

Son Bin reflexively hugged her as if to support her, but at some point, the two of them were inside the room.

Click.

The door closed. In that short moment, the Passionate Love Wisdom King had pushed the door shut. It was truly a veteran move worthy of a master, but for Son Bin, it was nothing but embarrassing.

“Well, just a moment…”

Son Bin tried to get the Passionate Love Wisdom King off of him. But there was nowhere to put his hands. Her shoulders, her arms, were all bare skin.

Sarak.

“Ah, that’s right.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King, who had been sticking close, suddenly took a step back. She smiled softly and said to Son Bin.

“Those men don’t like aggressive women, do they? And actually, foreplay is important too.”

Son Bin didn’t understand her words, but he breathed a sigh of relief for now. Judging from her smiling appearance, it didn’t seem like the situation was serious right now.

“Ahem.”

Son Bin cleared his throat and spoke in the softest and most polite tone possible. First, he had to figure out the situation.

“Well, what’s going on?”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King laughed at Son Bin’s words. To think he would pretend not to know anything now, like this. Teasing a woman’s heart, he’s a bad boy after all.

The Passionate Love Wisdom King put her hands on her hips and twisted her body slightly as if to show off. Her skin, revealed under the light, rippled with seductive curves.

“Ahem.”

Son Bin turned his head slightly, feeling like even looking at her was rude, when the Passionate Love Wisdom King’s gaze turned to the sword hanging on the wall, White Dew.

“Ah, that sword…”

Sabak.

The Passionate Love Wisdom King naturally approached Son Bin’s side. Son Bin, realizing that her gaze was directed at White Dew, reflexively smiled.

“That sword is called White Dew. This sword is…”

Son Bin’s voice trailed off. It wasn’t because he realized that there was no point in saying it. It was because the Passionate Love Wisdom King’s arms, which had approached before he knew it, wrapped around Son Bin’s arm as flexibly as a snake.

‘Gasp.’

Son Bin felt something soft on his arm, but he didn’t have the courage to confirm what that sensation was.

“It was really beautiful and fascinating.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King turned her head towards Son Bin, who was looking at White Dew. Her red lips, right in front of Son Bin’s nose, moved and exhaled a sweet voice.

“Just like you.”

“Well, over there…”

Son Bin reflexively stepped back. But the Passionate Love Wisdom King didn’t let Son Bin go.

Tuk.

Son Bin’s legs, which had been staggering back, tripped over something. But the Passionate Love Wisdom King stuck even closer to Son Bin, and thanks to that, Son Bin lost his balance as it was.

‘Ah!’

Even in the midst of all this, Son Bin wrapped his arms around the Passionate Love Wisdom King to keep her from getting hurt. At least he had to take the impact of the fall.

The moment Son Bin, who was holding the Passionate Love Wisdom King, braced himself for the impact.

Plop.

A soft sensation wrapped around Son Bin. It was Son Bin’s bed. Before he knew it, the two of them had been pushed all the way to the bed.

While Son Bin was panicking, the Passionate Love Wisdom King slowly got up. But she didn’t try to get off of Son Bin.

“You’re really kind to women after all.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King’s slender finger gently stroked Son Bin’s cheek.

The Passionate Love Wisdom King’s eyes, which were on top of Son Bin, held a seductive smile.

“You are Gandharva. And I am Passionate Love, the king of love and anguish. So tonight…”

Her alluring face slowly came down towards Son Bin. Her red lips came close to Son Bin’s ear and exhaled a sweet breath.

“It will be a very ecstatic night.”

Son Bin squeezed his eyes shut. He doesn’t know what she’s saying, but now is not the time to worry about etiquette. At this rate, Son Bin’s reason won’t be able to hold out any longer.

Sarak.

Even in the meantime, the Passionate Love Wisdom King’s hand was loosening Son Bin’s collar. Her slender, long fingers came into Son Bin’s chest without hesitation.

“Y, you can’t do this!”

Son Bin grabbed her shoulders and pushed with all his might. It was truly a resistance with all his strength, but the Passionate Love Wisdom King was a master.

“Oh my.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King lightly shook her shoulders and raised one hand to lightly touch Son Bin’s arms.

With just that, Son Bin’s hands brushed through the air, and Son Bin and the Passionate Love Wisdom King fell back onto the bed. In the same position as before.

Son Bin’s resistance was in vain.

“Why? Do you want to do it rough?”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King smiled, her red lips sparkling.

“But that doesn’t suit you.”

The Passionate Love Wisdom King said as if coaxing a child. Her slender thighs were already positioned between Son Bin’s legs.

As if she would never let go.

Sarak.

The Passionate Love Wisdom King’s slender finger stroked Son Bin’s cheek once again.

“It will be really pretty.”

She said, looking down at Son Bin.

“Our child.”

After saying that, the Passionate Love Wisdom King slowly lowered her lips towards Son Bin and closed her eyes slightly.

At that moment, Son Bin felt a genuine threat.

If he hesitated here, something that could never be undone, something very terrible, would happen. It was a instinctive conviction that went beyond etiquette and morality.

“N, no!”

This time it wasn’t her shoulders. Without even thinking about etiquette, Son Bin spread one hand and covered the Passionate Love Wisdom King’s face. And at the same time, he brought his other hand to the upper part of her chest.

‘Eww.’

While desperately ignoring the soft sensation and moist lips felt in each hand, Son Bin pushed with all his might.

It was accidental, but he accurately applied force to two points located on the Passionate Love Wisdom King’s center line.

“Ah.”

This time, even the Passionate Love Wisdom King had no choice but to be pushed back greatly. And that became the light of salvation for Son Bin.

Bang.

The door was smashed with a loud noise. The Passionate Love Wisdom King stopped moving and turned her head.

It wasn’t because someone had come. The Passionate Love Wisdom King didn’t care about such things.

The problem was the terribly cold chill that was pouring in, overflowing from the broken door.

A chill that seemed to freeze the Passionate Love Wisdom King right away.

It was the murderous intent emanating from the young Palace Master of the Northern Sea, Sasu Yeon, who had just smashed the door.

“What, are you doing?”